Why is Maha Oppn criticizing Sanjay Gaikwad for being 'high on power'?

Mumbai, July 9 (NationPress) Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad has ignited significant political backlash following the emergence of a video that depicts him physically attacking a canteen worker at the state-owned Akashvani MLA Guest House in Mumbai.

The event, which unfolded during the current Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra Assembly, has spread rapidly across social media platforms, drawing condemnation from leaders across various political parties who describe it as a blatant display of power and entitlement.

The footage captures Gaikwad hitting the staff member over his claims of receiving “stale food.” Despite the growing criticism, Gaikwad has shown no remorse, attempting to rationalize his behavior.

In response to the backlash, he stated to IANS, “I did not do anything wrong. I don’t care what people say.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized Gaikwad, branding his behavior as a reflection of arrogance. “The way he raised his hand on a poor canteen worker just because the food wasn’t to his liking shows how deeply intoxicated on power he is,” she remarked to IANS.

“This is the same Gaikwad who had once made remarks about cutting Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s tongue. One can understand the mentality of a leader who makes such statements against the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Even then, no action was taken against Gaikwad; no one demanded his resignation,” she added.

Congress leader Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar also condemned Gaikwad, asserting, “The real issue is what happened yesterday at the MLA hostel regarding food. Many people have complained that proper meals are not being served. However, taking the law into one’s hands is wrong. To resolve the issue, the committee chairman himself went and assaulted someone -- this amounts to taking the law into one’s own hands and misusing power.”

Congress state chief Nana Patole also criticized Gaikwad, questioning why he opted to physically confront the canteen worker instead of pursuing legal action. “These people are high on power, and that is why they go on assaulting the poor. They already have the law on their side, so what’s the need to take the law into their own hands? That poor man survives on daily labor, feeding himself and his family. Who gave them the right to beat him? These people are trying to bring in violent laws in Maharashtra, which will not be good for the state,” Patole asserted to reporters.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sachin Ahir added a sardonic remark, stating, “It’s unfortunate, the issue is right but the method is wrong. I will request the state government to make him the brand ambassador for boxing and wrestling and send him to the ring with a new dress code.”

Conversely, leaders from Gaikwad’s own Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) defended him, portraying the MLA as a “sensitive” person.

Speaking to IANS, Minister Shambhuraj Desai remarked, “I will talk to him to understand why he got so angry that it even led to a physical altercation. We will discuss this together, and if necessary, we will also speak with the Chief Minister.”

Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande also supported Gaikwad, expressing to IANS, “Sanjay Gaikwad is a very sensitive MLA, and he has a habit of reacting strongly over what he believes. He has a temperament that he could avoid, but the main issue is that if the contractor is providing substandard food, it must be investigated.”

In a comment to IANS, BJP MLA Ram Kadam added, “Violence can never be justified by anyone, especially not by a public representative, and I acknowledge that. However, if the food being provided is of extremely poor quality, that, too, cannot be justified or supported.”